This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/essex/7511790.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Bungled kidnap target's £50k plea Bungled kidnap target's £50k plea
(about 21 hours later)
A nightclub manager has offered a £50,000 reward after a bungled robbery and abduction attempt, police said.A nightclub manager has offered a £50,000 reward after a bungled robbery and abduction attempt, police said.
Gary Stokes, manager of Southend's Mayhem, parked his car near the club on 7 April and was accosted by three men.Gary Stokes, manager of Southend's Mayhem, parked his car near the club on 7 April and was accosted by three men.
They attempted to drive him to the club to get cash, but got lost in town centre traffic and Mr Stokes was able to kick open a door and escape.They attempted to drive him to the club to get cash, but got lost in town centre traffic and Mr Stokes was able to kick open a door and escape.
Essex Police said the reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved. The reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved.
At about 0900 BST on the 7 April, the 38-year-old manager was parking his blue BMW M5 car in the underground Tolhurst car park when the three men approached and tied him up.At about 0900 BST on the 7 April, the 38-year-old manager was parking his blue BMW M5 car in the underground Tolhurst car park when the three men approached and tied him up.
This is the most unusual abduction, that has the most unusual aspects Det Con Bob EvansThis is the most unusual abduction, that has the most unusual aspects Det Con Bob Evans
"However, for unknown reasons which have baffled detectives they pushed him back into his own car before driving off into the town centre," a police spokesman said."However, for unknown reasons which have baffled detectives they pushed him back into his own car before driving off into the town centre," a police spokesman said.
Once in the town centre, the car was stuck in traffic and Mr Stokes kicked open the door, rolled himself onto the road and ran into a nearby house.Once in the town centre, the car was stuck in traffic and Mr Stokes kicked open the door, rolled himself onto the road and ran into a nearby house.
The BMW was later spotted by a motorcyclist being dumped in St Michael Road, near the A1427 and the three men, described as black, fled in a green Vauxhall Astra.The BMW was later spotted by a motorcyclist being dumped in St Michael Road, near the A1427 and the three men, described as black, fled in a green Vauxhall Astra.
Det Con Bob Evans, of Essex Police, said: "This is the most unusual abduction, that has the most unusual aspects - there are a lot of factors that just don't add up, leading us to conclude that these men just didn't know what they were doing.Det Con Bob Evans, of Essex Police, said: "This is the most unusual abduction, that has the most unusual aspects - there are a lot of factors that just don't add up, leading us to conclude that these men just didn't know what they were doing.
"We don't believe they know Southend very well due to the route they tried to take and they kept asking Mr Stokes for directions back to London.""We don't believe they know Southend very well due to the route they tried to take and they kept asking Mr Stokes for directions back to London."